PTC
Tip of the MonthWhy
Companies Miss PTC OpportunitiesIt is very likely that R&D
departments and production plants just like yours are missing major
opportunities to achieve very high performance and sometimes crucial performance
using PTC. For example, time has just about run out on one current high profile
cyanide/chloride exchange for a blockbuster pharmaceutical actually being
considered for process change. Five major reasons for missing PTC opportunities
are described in detail in an article by Halpern published in 1996 (click
here) and unfortunately continues to be relevant today. Are you aware of
any missed PTC opportunities?

The five reasons companies miss PTC opportunities are: [1]
didnít think of PTC at the crucial decision stage, [2]
didnít have the confidence that the PTC option can be developed within the
deadline, [3] didnít obtain promising
results within 3-10 experiments, [4] the
process wasnít feasible (without applying highly specialized PTC expertise), [5]
resistance to change. To overcome these reasons, see PTC Option Consultation
below.

Please
forward this PTC Tip of the Month to your colleagues and encourage them
to subscribe

PTC Training2-Day
PTC Course in
Newark and Chicago
The course "Practical
Phase-Transfer Catalysis" will be conducted in Newark,
New Jersey on Feb 15-16, 2005 and in Chicago
on April 12-13, 2005. "Practical Phase-Transfer Catalysis" can also be conducted at your company anytime (North
America, Europe or Japan) as a private
in-house course. More than 530 chemists, engineers and managers at nearly
100 companies have participated in this highly rated course from 1996 to 2004. Click here
for details and agenda
or contact us by E-mail or telephone (+1
856-222-1146) or fax (+1 856-222-1124).

NewPTC ServicePTC
Option Go/No-Go ConsultationPurposeProvide a quick and
cost-effective key decision aid
during initial project planning, whether to pursue evaluation of phase-transfer
catalysis as an option to achieve success or breakthrough performance
for an organic reaction/process, consisting of uniquely qualified expert opinion
and supported by 28 years of PTC experience and documented evidence.

PTC
Reaction of the MonthPTC/NaOH
Alternative to Potassium t-Butylate
This patent describes a preferable 2-step addition reaction between adiponitrile
and acrylonitrile using PTC/NaOH. A one-step process also compared using
potassium t-butylate and Bu4NHSO4/NaOH (results of the
one-step process were not impressive). This is yet another example that t-butylate
can be replaced by PTC/NaOH because PTC really does enhance the
basicity of hydroxide to a surprising degree! Schelhaas, M.; Jautelat, M.;
(Bayer) US Patent 6,790,976, 14-Sep-2004

Phase-Transfer
Catalyst of the Month
Imidazolium
Ionic Liquids
Advantages
Ionic liquids are being used as recoverable non-volatile reaction solvents which
act as phase-transfer catalysts/agents since they are a form of N-quats. These
materials are liquid at the reaction temperature, typically under 100oC. Disadvantages
Very expensive relative to other phase-transfer catalysts...though must estimate cost-benefit on a performance
basis, including environmental advantages.
Availability, Samples and Quotes from Competitors
Request samples and quotes from: GFS
Chemicals,Merck,Sachem(click on link)

Free Subscription to
Chemical Pilot Magazine
- Chemical Pilot Magazine is a highly focused tool to help you understand the
factors that drive success in the critical stage between idea creation and
commercialization in the chemical industry. Each quarterly issue has five
sections: emerging technologies, protecting your technology, staying
competitive, education, government and policy. Register for your free
subscription or send ideas for articles to editor@chemicalpilot.com.

Subscribe/RemoveTo stop receiving the "PTC Tip of the Month,"
contact us by E-mail at tip@phasetransfer.com
or by telephone at +1 856-222-1146.
To receive the "PTC Tip of the Month," contact us at www.ptcorganics.com/ContactUs.htm
and note "Subscribe to Tip" in the Comments or by telephone at +1
856-222-1146.

Before
performing any PTC reactions read this important message
Organic chemical reactions are inherently dangerous. Moreover, phase-transfer
catalysis may provide rate and other enhancements which can intensify associated
hazards. Under no circumstances should anyone perform any procedure on any scale
based in whole or in part on any of the contents of this information provided
here before
thoroughly establishing safe operating procedures and performing a full and
competent hazardous operations analysis with the participation of qualified
technical personal trained in chemical, engineering, safety, industrial hygiene
and environmental disciplines and sciences.

Policy
The list of PTC Tip of the Month subscribers
will not be sold, rented or transferred and will be used only by PTC
Communications, Inc. and PTC Organics, Inc. to provide information related to
Phase-Transfer Catalysis. PTC Communications, Inc. reserves the right to
distribute the PTC Tip of the Month to selected industrial chemists, engineers and
managers.